Pain is a sensation that we all prefer to avoid. That's why we try as much as possible to stay away from danger and risk activities, and in general, we easily get there. But sometimes, just one wrong move our body could not stand that pain sets in. This is the case of foot cramps that appear suddenly and can cause crippling pain. What causes cramps feet, and how to prevent and relieve?
In general, our muscles contract and are relaxed to allow us to move. But sometimes they are not sufficiently prepared, which leads to sudden contractions, uncontrollable, intense, and sometimes very painful. They can occur during strenuous exercise or when the body is at rest, even during sleep. The risk of having them is often even greater when the body is not all that it needs.
To better understand the causes cramping, here are the factors that trigger their occurrence:
Muscle fatigue: the muscles are excessively stressed or injured during the practice of a sport;
Age: with aging, the muscles also react less faster than before, which makes them more prone to intense contractions
Poor circulation; The dehydration
Lack of vitamin D, calcium, potassium and magnesium
Pregnancy, especially during the last quarter;Cold
Excessive consumption of coffee or alcohol
Age: with aging, the muscles also react less faster than before, which makes them more prone to intense contractions
Poor circulation; The dehydration
Lack of vitamin D, calcium, potassium and magnesium
Pregnancy, especially during the last quarter;Cold
Excessive consumption of coffee or alcohol
If you suffer from severe and very frequent cramps, it would be best to consult a doctor to determine the exact cause. Repetitive cramps may be a symptom of many diseases such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, thyroid disorders and kidney.
How to Prevent Feet Cramps?
A healthy diet which gives the body all the nutrients it needs is the first key to preventing cramps. So make sure to eat foods rich in vitamin D, calcium and magnesium necessary for your muscles. therefore it is beneficial to eat nuts, spinach, lentils, fish and even chocolate. Proper hydration is also essential. It will drink at least 1.5 liters of water a day to ensure proper functioning of your body.
Regular physical activity can also help you, provided that you do not overdo it or you may get the opposite effect and worsen your problem. Go for aerobics to tone your muscles without too tiring. Most importantly, do not forget to do some stretching at the end of your workout. Stretch for a few minutes but without being painful for you.
How to relieve the pain of a cramp?
To relieve pain, stretch for a few minutes by pulling your toes toward you and gently massaging the painful muscle to restore blood flow to its level.
You can also apply a warm compress on your foot if it is too contracted, or a cold pack if it is too loose.